La Chertosa Wines has announced its partnership with the Sonoma International Film Festival (SIFF), contributing two of its finest wines to support the event. The festival, set to begin on March 19, is a renowned celebration of film, culture, and local arts. This collaboration highlights La Chertosa’s dedication to the Sonoma community and its commitment to promoting both cinematic and winemaking excellence.
Honoring Tradition Through La Chertosa’s Winemaking Legacy and Contributions to Sonoma Valley
La Chertosa Wines was founded in 2007 by Sam Sebastiani, continuing a legacy of traditional Italian winemaking in Sonoma Valley. The winery’s name comes from a 14th-century monastery in Tuscany, where Sebastiani’s grandfather, Samuele Sebastiani, first learned the craft of winemaking. After immigrating to Sonoma in 1895, Samuele established Sebastiani Winery, one of California’s pioneering wineries, passing down his expertise to future generations.
La Chertosa Wines Partners with Sonoma Film Festival, Showcasing Award-Winning WinesFor the festival, La Chertosa will donate its acclaimed Eye of the Swan Aleatico Rosé, which earned a gold medal at the SIFF wine competition last year and a double gold medal at the 2025 San Francisco Chronicle International Wine Competition. Alongside this, the winery is offering its Reserve Superior Barbera, The Winemaker Remembrance, a wine crafted in memory of Samuele Sebastiani, honoring his contributions to Sonoma’s wine and arts scene.
La Chertosa’s Legacy Aligns with Sonoma’s Flourishing Film and Arts Community
La Chertosa’s involvement in SIFF is particularly meaningful due to the Sebastiani family’s deep ties to Sonoma’s artistic community. In 1933, Samuele Sebastiani built the Sebastiani Theatre, a historic landmark that has played a key role in the region’s cultural life. Sam Sebastiani expressed his excitement about the partnership, emphasizing that the winery’s heritage and the film festival’s mission make for a perfect pairing.
Since its founding in 1997, the Sonoma International Film Festival has grown into one of the world’s premier destination film festivals, drawing filmmakers, industry professionals, and cinephiles from around the globe. Set in the heart of California’s wine country, the festival is celebrated for its intimate ambiance, world-class hospitality, and unique blend of film, food, and wine, making it an ideal event for La Chertosa’s prestigious wines to be featured.
